0
Pull-thru
USFSChequamegon-Nicolet NF · Wisconsin
Smith Rapids
Overview Smith Rapids Campground is located on the South Fork of the Flambeau River.
Sites19first-come
Elev.1,542ft
Comf.May-Oct6 months
Max rig75 ft
Electricnonesites
From Wausau2h16real road time
The honest read
Synthesized from
RIDB · Open-Meteo
OSM · OSRM
Updated 2026-05-27
RIDB · Open-Meteo
OSM · OSRM
Updated 2026-05-27
At 1,542 ft, Smith Rapids has a 6-month comfortable window (May-Oct). Winter nights average around 8°F, so the shoulder seasons turn cold fast. All 19 sites are first-come, first-served. No reservations, so arrive early. Within about 4 miles: lake or river access.
The campground at a glance
01 · CHARACTER
Reads strongest on shade and cool nights. Softest on reservability.
Six axes, each scored relative to every other federal campground in the region: quiet (miles to a major road), cool (elevation), roomy (average site spacing), shade, RV-fit (longest rig), and how reservable it is. All six come from data, nothing hand-tuned.
When to go
02 · CLIMATE
avg highavg lowfrost-freedriest · Jan
May-Oct
Comfortable window: nights stay above 35°F, days below 90°F.
69%
Of summer weekend-days are dry.
May 8
Last spring frost; first fall frost Oct 18.
60°F
Average July low.
Getting there
03 · ACCESS
01
Wausau
97 mi
2h16
02
Madison
236 mi
4h55
03
Milwaukee
282 mi
5h46
By drive time
Routed road time (OSRM). Nearest major highway 1.5 mi away.
Picking your site
04 · 19 SITES
Color byShow only
11 mapped sites · dot color = seclusion · click a dot for details. Basemap © OpenStreetMap.
0
Walk-in
0
50-amp
0
Accessible
0
Prime
19
Sites
★ The standout
Site 004
SMITH RAPIDS · shaded.
To neighbor
110 ft
Max rig
20 ft
Type
Standard
What's within four miles
05 · TRAILS · PEAKS · WATER
Trails & Peaks
Trail segments
29
Water & Access
Lake / river access
yes
To nearest major road
1.5 mi
Method
We synthesize public data layers: RIDB and Recreation.gov facility and site records, Open-Meteo climate normals, OpenStreetMap roads, trails, and water, OSRM drive times, and USGS elevation. We take no bookings, no ads, and no paid placements. Independence is the entire point.